Knife Safety with my son and a Case knife Reunion

So, my son is starting to get a little bit older now…. Obviously. I think it’s about time for him to start learning some responsibilities with some of the things that I had as a kid. This all started a few months ago, when he and I went target shooting. He had asked me about “shooting guns”. I taught him the basic rules of gun safety, quizzed him a bit, and then we went to our makshift range out back. Although he was ready, I didn’t let him pull the trigger right off the bat. He had to SHOW me that he was ready.

Fast forward about 3 months… He’s seen me with knives either in my pocket everyday, or on camping trips, and he had begun to show a little interest in that area as well. I thought this would be a good opportunity to teach him a little bit about knife safety and the responsibility that comes with being able to carry a knife. Now, I won’t let him use or even carry a knife for quite some time, but I think learning a little responsibility will definitely be a good thing when he IS ready in the next few years.

This all came together at just the right time, as I was fortunate to be able to partner up with Case knives for a knife event recently. Actually, two separate events. The first event was a quick Workshop that was put on by the folks over at Bass Pro in collaboration with Case Knives. “Camping and Conservation” was the title of the workshop. It was a great talk about what goes into camping, the outdoors, and the responsibility that we have as campers, to take care of not only the places we camp, but the environment in general.

A photo posted by DadRambles.com (@dadrambles) on Jul 24, 2016 at 1:10pm PDT

In the workshop (both) of my kids learned about packing in and packing out all of your food and other essentials while camping, as well as your trash, and any leftover food that you you may have. We also learned a little bit about safety in terms of food and shelter and water. We discussed some of the dangers that you can have while camping, as far as snakes, poisonous insects, the weather, and other natural hazards that you have to be aware of. These aren’t meant to scare the kids off from camping, but they are meant to teach them that with a little freedom in the world comes also a respect of environment around you and a responsibility to keep that environment in Tip-Top shape. One of the cool things that I liked about this event was that each of the kids were taught knife safety, and got to assemble and take home their very own wooden Case knife. Each kid was given a small box that was packaged with the appropriate parts for exact replicas of the real knives and they were able to assemble them in just a few minutes. Both sides of the knife, the spring, the blade, and the pins that hold the whole works together.

Both of my kids had a blast with this and it was really a neat way to show them how a knife works and teach them a little bit about knife safety without actually sticking a real knife in their hands that they could possibly harm himself with. Sticking a real knife in their hands (a bad pun, I know) could have been a very bad thing, but I felt very comfortable with the wooden replicas that we used.

Now, I’m not going to set my son loose with a knife anytime soon as I just don’t think he’s ready for that yet. But, I do think this was a great way to introduce him to knives and give him an idea of what it can do, how it functions, and that you have you have to practice proper safety precautions while handling a knife. I think for Christmas this year (or maybe sooner), I’m probably going to purchase his first knife (a Case I’m sure) and give it to him, with restrictions of course.

Another Case event that I was able to attend was the Case Collectors 35th Anniversary reunion. At this event, there were hundreds of knife collectors, literally, from all over the world, gathered in Bradford Pennsylvania for a weekend of knife trading, selling, auctioning off some pretty SWEET knives. If you are knife collector, this is the event to attend! There were also lot of carnival type games and food for everyone including the kids as well. We watched Tony Bose assemble and finish a knife (I suggest you google him, he is THE REAL DEAL) right in front of us.

A photo posted by DadRambles.com (@dadrambles) on Jul 23, 2016 at 7:42am PDT

That may sound very simple, but this takes many hours of work and meticulous craftsmanship to produce one of the highest quality custom knives in the knife industry. Tony is such a producer of great knives that he actually has partnered with Case to produce his own signature line of knives for mass production and sale, and these are offered by case in a limited production.

Here are just a few few of the highlights of what Case had to offer:

I even purchased, (not sponsored here folks), my very own commemorative Case knife, specific to the 35th Anniversary Reunion. It’s a beauty!

If I had to buy another, THIS would be the one. Absolutely beautiful. Probably the favorite line of knifes that I saw at the entire event.

Case offers many commemorative sets, I thought this John Deere set was a nice one.

And last but not least, this Case Trapperlock in smooth Chestnut bone. I have been carrying in my pocket for the last couple of weeks and I absolutely love it. I think it is a great EDC (every day carry) knife. I am a big fan of the lock blade. It’s the perfect balance of form and function.

So, all that said to say this. If you are looking for a great knife, that is also a work of art, made in the USA since 1889, and a sure-to-be family heirloom, be sure to checkout Case. They have dealers across the country, so there is sure be one near you.Also, be sure to hop on over to Facebook and Instagram and give them a follow.

Although Case is a sponsor for this post, and I received products and compensation for it, the views here are 100% honest and are my own.